Driving means for engraving and copying machines



June 18, 1940. zwgc 2,204,841

DR'IVING'MEANS FOR'ENGRAVING AND COPYING MACHINES Original Filed larch 28, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 Ihvenfon Patented June 18, 1940 COPYING Kurt Zwick, Munich,

MACHINES Germany, minor to Friedrich Deckel, Munich-Prinz Ludwigshoe,

Bavaria, Germany Original application March 28, 1936, Serial No. 71,483, now Patent No. 2,176,193, dated October Divided and this application April 16, 1938, Serial No. 202,567

11 Claims.

This invention relates to engraving and copying machines, using these words in a broad sense as including die sinking machines.

An object of the invention is the provision of 5 a generally improved and more satisfactory drive it: engraving and copying machines and the li e.

Another object is the provision of a belt drive arranged for machines of this character, in which the tension of the belt may be easily and quickly adjusted, and in which the belt is protected from accidental contact by the operator.

A further object is the provision of driving means of the above'mentioned character, so del5 signed as to be well adapted to drive a tool spindle movable in all directions over three dimensional or relief work.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is'a plan or top view of a machine constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 7 Fig. 2 is a vertical section through means of the present invention, and

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through part of the driving means, taken in a plane substantially at right angles'to Fig. 2.

the driving The same reference numerals throughout the and a block I may be moved along this slot several views indicate the same parts.

I The present application is a division of my United States patent application, Serial No.

71,483, filed March 28, 1936, for Engraving .and

copying machine, now Patent 2,176,193, Oct. 1'7,

1939. Certain subject matter disclosed but not claimed in the present application is claimed in said parent application No. 71,483, or in other ard. III on which a member I24 is mounted for vertical movement along guideways. The 'memto her I2. carries a pair of. forwardly projecting horizontal arms I2I having ball bearing guideways for cooperation with side arms I22 projecting horizontally rearwardly from across bar I23, to which the arms I'22'are rigidly connected. An 65 accordion pleated bellows I24 may enclose the arms I2I and I22 to protect them from dust and dirt.

A beam I25 is movable horizontally on guideways extending along the cross bar I23. Hence the beam I25 may move universally in all directions. It may move horizontally in one direction along its guideway on the bar I23; it may move horizontally in a direction at right angles thereto by moving the entire beam I23 and its arms I22 along the guideways on the arms I2I; and it may move vertically by moving the parts I2I, I22 and I23 upwardly or downwardly along the vertical guideway on the standard or support II.

This universally movable beam I25 carries a plurality of sockets, two of which are shown at I21 and I28, respectively, and all of which are adapted to receive interchangeably, as desired, either a rotary cutting tool or a tracing stylus. One or more of the sockets may be adjusted horizontally to various positions along the beam I25. An arm or link I3I is pivoted at one end to the beam I25 by means of a vertical pivot I32, which pivot is mounted either directly on the beam I25 or on the movable holder or socket I28. The opposite end of the arm I3I is pivoted by another vertical pivot I33 to one end of the arm I34, the other end of whichis provided with a socket for cooperation with -a tracing stylus or cutting tool mounted on a lazytongs pantograph, as explained below.

' At the top of the main frame IDI, above the member I20, is a horizontal clamping slot I40,

and clamped in any desired position thereon. The block I carries a horizontal pivot on which is pivoted a carrier I43 having a vertical pivot I44 forming the main or fixed pivot of a lazytongs autograph system or linkage. The lazytor'igs inkage comprises, for example, the arms I46, I41, I48 and I49 pivoted to each other by vertical pivots in the usual lazytongs linkage manner, one of the arms (such asfi49) being adjustable to different positions along its companion arms (such as I41 and I48) .in order to set the lazytongs linkage for different ratios of reduction or enlargement. A member I55,'settab le to diflerent positions along the arm I49, carries a vertical pivot I55 which extends downwardly below the bottom of the member I55 and is connected by a horizontal pivot to a bracket I58 which may be ably to the top of the beam I25, but preferably it is movable to any desired position along a clamping groove I60, extending longitudinally along the top of the beam. 4

At the outer end of the lazytongs arm I" is a downward projection on which is formed a universal joint indicated in general at I 55. A tube projects downwardly from the universal joint and is slidable vertically within a vertical bore formed in the end of the arm I34. The arm I34 thus holds the tube always vertical, notwithstanding upward or downward movements thereof, and notwithstanding tilting of the pantograph linkage about its horizontal pivot on the moimting block I.

-A cutting tool spindle, or a tracing stylus, as desired, may be mounted within the tube which projects below the universal joint I66.

Suitable counterweight means is provided, which counterbalances all or any desired part of the weight of the vertically movable member I20 and the various parts supported thereby. Limiting stop means, to determine the maximum extent to which the member I20 may move downwardly, is preferably provided, the limiting stop means being adjustable in any suitable manner, such as by the rotatable head I at the top of the machine.

Each of the holders I21 and I28 may be arranged so that the cutting tool spindle is completely removed when not in use, or may be arranged to retain a cutting tool spindle at all times, a tracing stylus being mounted in the chuck at the lower end of the spindle when it is desired to place a tracing stylus in this holder I21 or I28, and a cutting tool being mounted in the chuck at the lower end of the spindle when it is desired to employ a cutting tool at this location. The holder I2'I, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, may thus receive a bearing sleeve 20I having suitable bearings 202 for holding a rotatable tube 203 forming part of the spindle, the upper end of the tube being provided with a driving pulley having belt grooves 204 and 205.

The spindle driving means of the present invention comprises, for example, an electric motor 240secured to one side of the machine frame IOI. At the upper end of the armature shaft of this motor is a pulley 2 over which a driving belt may pass to a second pulley 242 mounted on a bearing on an arm 243 slidablelongitudinally along a housing 244 which has a bearing 245 concentric with the pulley 2 so that the housing may swing horizontally to any desired position around the pulley 2, but is restrained against any tilting movement, so that the housing 244 acts as a cantilever and supports the weight of the pulley 242 and other parts. A clamp 246 serves to hold the sliding member 243 in any desired position to produce the proper tension on the belt 241 running from the pulley 2 to the pulley 242.

The pulley 242 is secured to a sleeve 240 which extends downwardly from the pulley and to which is secured a second pulley 245 over which may run a belt 250 extending to the pulley204. 205 on the tool spindle. A housing 252 surrounds the belt and runs from the pulley 245 to the pulley 204, 205, not only protecting the belt, but also exerting the necessary force to resist or counterbalance the tension of the belt 250. Because of the fact that, during operation, the tool spindle may move vertically to a considerable extent relatively to the motor 240, this housing 252 must be connected in such a manner as to permit such rising and falling movement of the spindle. One end of the housing is, therefore, pivotally connected to a sleeve member 253 surrounding and rotatable upon the sleeve 20I of the spindle, by means of pivot pins 254 extending generally transversely to the length of the housing 252, so that this housing may tilt about these pins 254 as an axis. A member 256 is slidable longitudinally along the housing and may be clamped in any desired position by-means of the clamp 251. This member 256 is engaged with the lower end 258 of the shaft on which the pulleys 242 and 249 are mounted, by means of a spherical hearing 259, so that the housing 252 may tilt laterally as well as longitudinally, or in any desired direction, relatively to the shaft 256, although the housing is at all times supported by this shaft.

Thus the housing forms a connection between the horizontally over the work, this results, of course.

in horizontal movement of the pulley shaft 250, turning this shaft about the motor shaft as'a center.

When a cutting tool rather than a tracing stylus is mounted in the tube which extends downwardly from the universal joint I66, such a cutting tool is driven from a pulley mounted on the tool spindle substantially at the universal joint, and this pulley is driven from a belt placed in the special groove 262 on the pulley 242, which special groove is in a horizontal plane sufficiently below the edge of the housing 244 so that a belt extending horizontally from this groove 262 will not scrape on the lower edge of the housing. The housing 252 is removed and replaced by a plain rod-like spacer connected on the one hand to the member 256 and on the, other hand to a suitable part of the tube which depends from the universal joint I66 and which forms the bearing for the spindle which is to be driven.

When a tool spindle mounted on the holder I28 is to be driven it may be driven by the arrangement above described for driving the spindle in the holder I21, or by the arrangement above described for driving the spindle below the universal joint I66. It tool spindles in both holders I21 and I28 are to be driven, the spindle spindle in the holder I2I to the spindle in the holder I23.

In operating the engraving or copying machine above described as an example of the mecha nism with which the present invention is to be used, the tracing stylus mounted, for example, in the tube depending from the universal joint I66, is moved at will over the surface of the pattern or model to be copied. The horizontal com ponents of such movements are transmitted through the lazytongs linkage to the pivot I56 and through this pivot to cause corresponding horizontal movements on a reduced scale of the beam I25 and of the cutting tool or tools mounted on this beam. The vertical movements of the tracing stylus cause upward and downward tilting of the outer end of the lazytongs pantograph, and this, through the universal joint pivotal connection between the member I55 and the member I56, causes corresponding vertical movements on a reduced scale of the beam I25 and the cutting tools mounted thereon.

As the cutting tool mounted in the holder I21 moves horizontally, the belt housings 2 and 252 swing relatively to each other, but maintain the various pulleys always at the same distance from each other, thus maintaining the tension of the belts at whatever degree is desired, the degree of tension being readily adjustable by sliding the members" 243 and 256 along their respective guideways or slots in the housings 2 and 252. When the spindlewhich is being driven moves vertically, the housing 252 tilts upwardly or downwardly about the pivots 254 at one end, and about the tilting or universal joint bearing 259 at the other end. Thus the spindle is driven properly at all times, notwithstanding either vertical or horizontal movements of the spindle relatively to the motor 240. While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is therefore not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. I claim: 1. Driving means for a tool spindle of an engraving or copying machine of the type including a frame, means mounted on and movable with respect to said frame for carrying a cutting tool spindle, and a driving pulley operatively connected to said spindle, said driving means comprising a motor mounted on said frame and shaft, and a second belt running over said pulley.

means and said driving pulley on the spindle.

2. Driving means for a movable tool spindle of an engraving or copying machine having a frame, a motor mounted on said frame, and a tool spindle mounted for movement relative to said frame, said driving means including a first belt housing mounted on said frame for oscillation relatively thereto substantially in a fixed horizontal plane, a second belt housing extending approximatelyhorizontally substantially from said first housing to said spindle, pulley means adjustably connected to both of said belt housings and forming a connection between them for supporting one end of said second housing from said first housing, said connection being so formed that said second housing may tilt upwardly and downwardly relative to the plane of the first housing to accommodate itself to limited upward and downward movements of said spindle relative to said plane, belt means running through said first housing for driving said-pulley means from said motor, and belt means running through said second housing for driving said spindle from said pulley means.

3. Driving means for a movable tool spindle of an engraving or copying machine having a frame, a motor mounted on said frame, and a. tool spindle mounted for movement relative to said frame, said driving means including a substantially rigid member mounted for oscillation relatively to said frame substantially in a fixed horizontal plane about a substantially vertical axis of oscillation, a slide mounted for movement onsaid member to different positions closer to or farther away from the axis of oscillation of said member, a shaft carried by said slide, pulley means mounted on said shaft, a second slide attached to and supported from said shaft, a second substantially rigid member extending substantially from said spindle to said second slide, said second slide being movably connected to said second member for movement thereon to different positions closer to or farther away from said spindle, and belt means extending from said motor to said pulley means and from said pulley means to said spindle for driving said spindle.

4. Driving means for a movable tool spindle of an engraving or copying machine having a frame, a motor mounted on said frame, and a tool spindle mounted for movement relative to said frame, said driving means including a substan I tially rigid member mounted for oscillation relapositions at different distances from said spindle,

said connecting member being connected to and supported from the lower end of said shaft, clamping means for holding said connecting member in any position to which it is set on said belt housing, and belt means extending .from said motor to said pulley means and from said pulley means through said belt housing to said spindle.

5. Driving means for a movable tool spindle of an engraving or copying machine having a frame, spindle holding means mounted for move ment relative to said frame, and a tool spindle mounted on said holding means, said driving means comprising a supporting part mounted on said spindle holdingmeans for oscillation thereon about an axis substantially concentric with the axis of said tool spindle, a pulley shaft mounted for movement to different positions relative to said frame, pulley meansmounted on said shaft, spacing means for holding said pulley shaft at a definite distance from said tool spindle, said spacing means being pivoted 'to said supporting part for oscillation relative thereto about an axis lying approximately in a plane perpendicular 'tosaid axis of said tool spindle, and means for driving said tool spindle, said driving means including belt means running from said pulley means to said tool spindle.

6. A construction according to claim -5, in which sald-spacing means is in the form of a belt housing at least partially enclosing said belt means running from said pulley means to said tool spindle.

. '7. Driving means fora tool spindle of an en-v graving or copying machine oi the type including a frame, a beam supported from said frame and guided for movement of translation to a plurality of different positions each of which is substantiaily parallel to the others, a lazytongs linkage supported from said frame, means operatively connecting said beam to said linkage at one point so that movements of one are transmitted to the other, means at another point on said linkage for holding a tracing stylus or a tool spindle, and means on said beam for holding a tool spindle-or a tracing stylus, said driving means comprising a motor mounted on said frame, a swinging arm mounted on said frame, pulley means carried by said arm at a point spaced from said frame, and

means for driving said pulley means from said motor, said pulley means including one belt groove for receiving a belt extending therefrom to a. tool spindle on said beam when such tool spindle is beingemployed, and including a different belt groove for receiving a belt extending therefrom to a tool spindle on said linkage when such tool spindle is being employed.

8. A construction according to claim '7, further including rigid means connecting said arm to the tool spindle being employed, to move said arm in accordance with movements of said tool spindle.

9. Driving means for an engraving and copying machine of the type including a frame, holding means for holding an approximately vertical tool spindle for movement both horizontally and vertically relative to said frame, and a driving pulley mounted on said frame, said driving means including an approximately horizontally extending first housing of elongated form, bearing means mounting one end of said housing on said frame for oscillation about an approximately vertical axis and for supporting said housing against downward tilting, the opposite end of said housing extending laterally a substantial distance from said bearing means, a second elongated housing extending approximately horizontally and pivotally connected near one end to said spindle holding means and pivotaliy connected near its opposite end to said first housing near the end thereof remote from said bearing means, pulley means associated with said housings near the point where they are connected to each other, and driving belt means extending from said driving pulley along said first housing to said pulley means and from said pulley means along said second housing to said spindle, both of said housings being of approximately inverted U-shaped cross section to enclose said belt means at top and sides and open at the bottom for free access to said belt means for changing the same.

10. Driving means for an engraving and copying machine of the type including a frame, holding means for holding an approximately vertical tool spindle for movement both horizontally and vertically relative to said frame, an approximately vertical drive shaft on said frame, and a pulley on said shaft, said driving means including an approximately horizontally extending firsthousing having one end in encircling relation to said pulley, bearing means encircling said shaft for mounting said end of said housing for oscillation substantially around the axis of said shaft and for supporting said housing against downward tilting, the opposite end of said housing extending laterally a substantial distance from said shaft and bearing means, an approximately vertical stub shaft mounted on said housing near said opposite end thereof, pulley means rotatably mounted on said stub shaft, a bearing member mounted on said stub shaft for limited tilting movement relative thereto, a ring mounted on said tool spindle holding means for oscillation substantially about said spindle as an axis, a second housing of withwallsenclosing said belt means at least partially on three sides in cross section and open on the fourth side for access to said belt means for changing the same.

' KURT ZWICK. 

